As a server administrator, one crucial aspect of container management is the ability to bind services to specific IP addresses. This is essential for environments where multiple services (e.g., Pufferpanel instances) need to be hosted on the same server but bound to different IP addresses. Currently, Easypanel does not offer a way to specify IP addresses directly through the graphical user interface (GUI), which limits its usability in complex network configurations.

Problem:

In scenarios where multiple network interfaces or multiple IP addresses are assigned to a server, it becomes necessary to bind certain services to specific IP addresses. This is crucial for cases like:

• Running multiple instances of the same service (e.g., game servers) that require distinct public IP addresses.

• Network segmentation for security purposes, where each service must be isolated on its own IP.

• Custom routing and IP-specific firewall configurations that rely on specific IP bindings.

Currently, this must be manually configured via terminal commands like docker run -p <IP>:<port>:<container-port>, which defeats the purpose of using a GUI for managing services and containers. This results in a disjointed experience for users who expect full network configuration within the GUI.

Proposal:

Add a feature to Easypanel’s advanced settings to allow users to specify the IP address for any service or container directly from the GUI. This would include:

1. IP Binding Field: In the advanced settings of each service, provide a field where users can input the desired IP address to bind the container.

• Example: An input field where users can define an IP such as 192.168.1.100 that binds the service only to that address.

2. Automatic Detection of Available IPs: Easypanel should automatically detect and list all available IP addresses assigned to the server for easy selection.

• This makes it user-friendly for admins who might not be aware of which IPs are available on their server.

3. Port Binding Enhancement: Update the current “Ports” section to allow more detailed port configurations, including IP-based port bindings (e.g., 192.168.1.100:8080:80).

Benefits:

• Improved Flexibility: Users will have the ability to host multiple instances of the same service across different IPs, providing better scalability.

• Enhanced Security: By binding services to specific IP addresses, administrators can easily segment traffic and implement IP-specific security measures.

• Consistency in the User Experience: Removing the need for terminal commands will make the IP binding process consistent with the GUI-based management that Easypanel promises.

Conclusion:

Implementing IP address binding within the GUI will significantly improve Easypanel’s flexibility and usability for users managing complex network environments. It will make Easypanel more appealing to advanced users who rely on multiple network configurations, while keeping the interface simple and intuitive for basic users.

My english is very bad so i decide to let ChatGTP translate it. I hope thats ok.

kind regards

Tim Plechatsch